Civility

 I have what I call a "patience" job. This job is extremely difficult because it requires this attribute for 8 hours straight. This skill is not valued in terms of monetary compensation but every parent hopes that the person who has my job has copious amounts because they know all to well how difficult it is to maintain prolonged patience. A couple of weeks ago I had a particularly rough day at work, one that tested me to the brink. I got off work and headed to the grocery store to grab dinner. This is the last place I wanted to be. The lines were backed up with one cashier working. A lady behind me proceeds to go to a bagger and yell "this is so stupid to only have one cashier open"...she said "what is your name" the teenager looks down. The lady continues, "you have to look at your name tag for the answer?! Stupid. I've been coming here longer than you've been alive this is ridiculous! This is terrible." I was shocked who talks to someone like that? I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Ma'am why don't you cut in front of me, you only have a couple of items and you seem to be in a hurry." She replies with, "no it's no big deal you were here first," I tell her apparently it is a big deal since you yelled at that teenage employee. She says I didn't yell at him. I said, yes you did. She said no I didn't. Then a young couple behind me both chimed in you defently yelled at him. Then the lady replied with all I said was "can you open another checkout lane?" I said if you had said it like that then there wouldn't be an issue. I told her that I have two teenage daughters who work at an ice cream store and get yelled at by strangers over ice cream. They work for minimum wage just like that teenage boy. He's not in charge of anything. She starts to cry and tells me she didn't mean to yell and her husband has cancer. I told her how sorry I was for her. They opened a new checkout lane and she goes next. She leaves the store and the couple behind me says, "ma'am I want you to know if you were my mom I'd be real proud that you stood up for that teenager. I work at a store and you'd be surprised how often I get yelled at" I thanked them for backing me up when I told her she was speaking rudely. 

This week a "friend" posted a political question on Facebook. This person wasn't really wanting a discussion based on his tone. Lindsey however tried to engage in a civil discussion. Then a stranger responds with name calling and total rudeness. The original friend said nothing and frankly joined the fight. I was so disappointed with the lack of civility and this friend standing behind his rude friend.  I had to post about civility and humanity. Our original friend showed how he values our friendship. I have no time or space for people that can't be kind. 

We desperately need civility in our country right now more than ever. I hope I will always stand up for civility with kindness and courage.